Sony has unveiled its next-generation virtual reality headset and an exclusive gaming title, ramping up its rivalries in VR and the metaverse.
The PlayStation VR2 headset and the “Horizon Call of Mountain” game provide users with upgraded visual technology and the ability to tap into the ever-growing metaverse.
In addition to its new hardware and title, Sony plans to launch a PlayStation Tournaments feature on the PS5, allowing players to enter certified competitions to win prizes.
Sony joins a growing list of tech companies embracing VR and the metaverse.
- In June, Meta’s virtual reality division, Oculus, acquired BigBox VR, a VC-backed startup that creates online VR games.
- In November, Microsoft announced an integration with its Microsoft Teams software and metaverse platform Mesh.
- Last month, Rec Room, a free-to-play VR gaming platform, raised $145 million, valuing the company at $3.5 billion.
The Good and Bad
Sony lowered its full-year production forecast for the PS5 to 15 million units by March 2022, down from a previous target of 16 million. Like many others in tech, the Tokyo-based company is suffering from the semiconductor shortage and supply chain constraints.
But the company’s Game & Network Services segment saw sales reach $5.7 billion in fiscal Q2 2021, a 27% uptick compared to a year prior.
